The irrigator does not replace a toothbrush, but complements it: a jet of water cleans particles of food and plaque removed by a brush from interdental spaces, from under braces and dentures, massages and strengthens the gums.
The main thing is not to pour cold water into your mouth, reduce the pressure when treating the gums and keep the nozzle at a distance of at least 2-3 mm from the tooth. First we clean with a brush, then with an irrigator. Armed with this knowledge, we unpacked and tested the Elari IR-600 model.
Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Elari |
|---|---|
| Model | IR-600 |
| Type | compact irrigator |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Service life * | 3 years |
| Degree of protection | IPX7 |
| Battery | Li-ion, 2000 mAh |
| Battery life | up to 500 cycles |
| Battery life | up to 70 minutes |
| Battery charge time | up to 5 hours |
| Tank volume | 600 ml |
| Nozzles for daily care | 4 things |
| Orthodontic attachment | there is |
| Pressure | 200-830 kPa |
| Number of pulsations per minute | 1400-1800 |
| Number of modes | 3 |
| Water consumption | 220 ml/min |
| The weight | 0.55 kg |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 95×120×134 mm |
| Network cable length | 1m |
| Retail offers |
* Contrary to common misconception, this is not the period after which the device will definitely break. However, after this period, the manufacturer ceases to bear any responsibility for its performance and has the right to refuse to repair it, even for a fee.
Equipment
The Elari IR-600 box is turquoise and very informative: it will completely replace the instruction manual. On the front wall, the slogan “Freshness and cleanliness of the oral cavity for the whole family” is written very large, and in a smaller font – the name of the device and its features: a roomy box, three cleaning modes and a long battery life cycle.
On one side there is a more detailed list: it is added that the device is compact and wireless, easy to manage, based on Cleanforce technology. He also comes with four simple tips for the whole family and one orthodontic (for veneers, braces and crowns).
On the second side there is a diagram of the device of the irrigator, a description of the nozzles and a list of modes, as well as a serial number and information about the manufacturer. The rear is occupied by a list of technical specifications, on the top edge is the name of the manufacturer, and on the bottom is a message that he reserves the right to make changes to the design, design and equipment without notifying the buyer.
A touching detail: two smiles with snow-white teeth are painted on the inner flaps: female and male (identified by mustaches). Yes, we have seen people without smiles, but smiles without people…
Opening the box, we found in it an irrigator with a water tank, a flexible holder for nozzles and a lid-box for storing them, as well as a set of nozzles themselves – four of the same type with marking rings, one with a brush at the end, – a charging cable with a USB connector and instructions.
At first sight
The Elari IR-600 irrigator consists of three main parts: a base with a display and controls, a water tank and a container lid that stores accessories: nozzles, a working handle and a wire for charging the battery.
In the “stowed position” the base of the compact irrigator folds into the water tank, which is closed with a lid. Therefore, the device does not take up much space in the luggage.
The water tank is made of grayish transparent plastic through which the water level in the tank is clearly visible. In the lower part there is a valve for supplying water to the base, and a liquid level scale marked in milliliters and ounces is applied to the walls.
The tank is installed on the base and tightly fixed with a valve seal on its upper part. For precise positioning, the container is equipped with three protrusions that fit into the holes on the cover of the main unit.
On the front wall of the base, we see a control panel with a display and two buttons, as well as a connector for installing a working handle. On the left side is a silver handle, with which you can adjust the water pressure.
On the back side of the main unit, a two-pole connector for connecting the charger is closed with a silicone cover.
The working handle of the irrigator is equipped with a metal swivel ring that fixes the replaceable nozzle, and a switch that turns the water supply on and off. A twisted hose 85 centimeters long departs from the handle, fixed at the other end in a stand.
It must be inserted into the hole on the front panel of the base at a slight angle and to secure it, turn it so that the handle in the stand takes a vertical position.
Having fixed the holder, you can install a working handle with the selected nozzle in it.
For long breaks in work, the holder with the hose should be disconnected from the body in the reverse order and put into the compartment of the container lid. Nozzles that are not currently used are also stored there.
The Elari IR-600 irrigator comes with four nozzles for normal work in the oral cavity and one orthodontic one for cleaning braces and veneers. Classic nozzles are slightly curved tubules made of hard transparent plastic. At the end of the orthodontic (in the photo – in the center) there is a brush that allows you to clean more thoroughly by combining non-contact and mechanical cleaning.
So that family members do not confuse individual nozzles, each of them is equipped with a color label.
The user manual says that additional nozzles can be purchased for the irrigator: for hard deposits on implants and crowns, for gum pockets and for cleaning the tongue. But at the time of preparing the review, these accessories were not available on the manufacturer’s website .
The irrigator kit includes a charging cord, on one side of which there is a two-pole plug inserted into the connector on the case, on the other side there is a standard USB-A connector. Power adapter not included: the manufacturer allows the use of any certified 5-volt charger with the appropriate connector.
Instruction
The Elari IR-600 User Manual is a 15-page brochure in a slightly smaller than A6 format. On the white glossy cover we see the name of the device type, the model code and its schematic representation. The reverse side of the cover is occupied by the table of contents.
The quality of printing and paper is excellent, numerous diagrams and drawings are easy to read. The font is small but clear.
The instructions contain comprehensive descriptions of not only the usual technical information, charging, collecting, filling and operating the device, but also a diagram of proper brushing of teeth, a mention of a two-minute timer after which the device turns off, a detailed description of the attachments included in the kit, as well as those that can be purchase additionally.
The last page of the brochure is a warranty book with a place for the marks of the seller and the service center.
Control
There are two buttons on the control panel: the first is for turning on and off, and the second is for switching modes.
The Elari IR-600 irrigator has three irrigation programs. Pressing the button sequentially switches:
- Point : Three short water pulses, pause, three short water pulses. This mode is used for spot cleaning of heavily soiled areas.
- Normal : normal water pressure and average pulsation frequency. Designed for daily use.
- Pulse : variable frequency and strength of the pulse. Suitable for more thorough, compared to the normal mode, brushing your teeth.
The current operating mode is displayed on the device display as a blue text line. The device remembers the last selected mode and turns it on at the next start.
The screen is also equipped with indicators for low charge and connection to a power source.
Exploitation
Before starting work, the irrigator must be fully charged and filled with a tank. What exactly is an ambiguous question. Until brushing your teeth with a jet of liquid becomes a habit, we advise you to take plain water. It should be warm: hot can ruin the device, and cold is harmful and unpleasant for the teeth.
Actually, water is better for the following reasons: if you haven’t used an irrigator before and don’t really know how they brush your teeth, then after the first session you won’t have to take a shower – and you will be wet about to the waist. Again, you need to fill your hand in order to learn how to easily stop the water supply with a switch – and during operation it is almost in your mouth and tight enough to have difficulty turning it on at first, and even more so turning it off with a wet hand.
Experts give useful advice: lean lower over the sink and keep your mouth half open. A few days of two cleanings a day – and everything will be much better. But for the first month it is better to do it in clothes that you don’t mind getting wet.
The irrigator is comfortable to use with both hands. Whether to put it on the side of the working hand or not does not play a significant role.
While the process has not yet been debugged and the teeth are not used to the pressure, you need to start the irrigator at minimum power and increase it very smoothly. Then, when both you and your teeth adapt, you can add mouthwash to the water (preferably special for this type of device – in the ratio of 10 units of water per 1 rinse) and increase the strength of the jet.
The manufacturer does not recommend adding herbal infusions and other liquids that contain suspension and particles to the tank, because this can damage the device. In any case, after everyone brushes their teeth, the liquid should be poured out of the tank, and not left for the evening or the next day.
According to the compilers of the instructions, the nozzle should be held so that the jet is directed perpendicular to the tooth or gum, and not at the base of the tooth (this can damage the gum).
An automatic timer is built into the irrigator, so after two minutes of operation the motor stops / If this time was not enough for a complete cleaning of the entire oral cavity, then you will have to turn it on again.
The device does not have protection against starting without water. We did not find a direct ban on switching on with a dry tank in the manual, but we recommend, nevertheless, to monitor the liquid level in order to avoid compressor failure.
Care
It is recommended to wash the water tank with a mild detergent every two days, and the manufacturer advises using a disposable sponge, and rinsing the tank as thoroughly as possible. With the same frequency, it is worth wiping the entire device with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Once a week, it is necessary to wash the nozzles with a disinfectant solution or sterilize them in a special device.
Our measurements
The noise emitted during operation of the device reaches 75 dB. This is quite a loud noise and can disturb sleeping family members even with the bathroom doors closed.
A full charge of the battery lasts, according to our measurements, for 21 two-minute cycles in Normal mode with maximum water pressure. This is significantly less than the 70 minutes promised by the manufacturer, but we consider the battery life sufficient for comfortable use: with constant use twice a day, a family of two will have to charge the irrigator no more than once a week.
On average, one brushing session consumes about 460 ml of water. The productivity measured by us slightly exceeds the passport one.
It takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes to fully charge a depleted device. When charging, the device consumes about 4.6 watts.
findings
We liked the Elari IR-600 irrigator for its convenient storage of nozzles and charging cord, the presence of different modes and smooth adjustment of the water pressure. It does not take up an outlet – and there are always not enough of them in the bathroom. This is a fairly compact model: you can take it with you on a trip, and it will not take up much space in your luggage.
The attachments included are enough for a family of four, and one of them may have braces or veneers.
The disadvantages of the device include a high level of noise during operation and an overly tight water supply button located on the smooth and slippery working handle of the device: it can be difficult to turn it on and especially off with wet hands.
Pros :
- low price
- long battery life
- compact design
Cons :
- high noise level
- taut water supply button on the working handle
